Lamine Yamal says he will not be offended by being called ‘black’

Lamine Yamal says he would not be offended if someone called him “black”, because he is black, but added that using the term to insult him would be wrong.

The 19-year-old Barcelona forward said he had experienced racism directly “thousands of times” and that people could also behave in racist ways without recognising what they were doing.

“I have felt racism directly thousands of times,” Yamal told Movistar Plus. “I think people act in a racist way towards you indirectly, but perhaps they do not realise it. There are many racist looks, and those people do not realise what they are doing.”

Yamal said the meaning behind the word, rather than the word itself, was important.

“If anyone calls me ‘black’, it will not bother me at all,” he said. “I am black and I am not any other colour. Whether their intention is good or the opposite is another matter. If they say it with the intention of insulting me, then that is wrong.”

The Barcelona player has made seven appearances for the club during the current season and has recorded 12 goal contributions. He has scored eight goals and provided four assists.

Barcelona lead the Spanish league with 18 points after winning all six of their matches so far.